An interdisciplinary research group based at Newcastle University

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The purpose of this Newcastle University research group is to promote interdisciplinary interests in the study of the cultural significance of place (CSoP) and to provide a literal and figurative meeting space for different approaches which are in dialogue with relevant bodies of thought and theory. Across the University there are dispersed interests in CSoP, springing from subject areas as diverse as geography, town planning, architecture, film studies, modern languages, English, linguistics, sociology, history, fine art, art history and museum, gallery and heritage studies. This group is intended to bring these scholarly communities together to enable both the sharing of knowledge through exchange and debate and the development of interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary research initiatives such as RCUK funding applications. There are established interests in CSoP across the Faculty going back many years, from the 2003 ‘Constructing Place’ conference to current research in ICCHS on museum representations and people’s lived experiences of the north east and the publication of the edited volume Making Sense of Place for the ‘Heritage Matters ‘series published by Boydell. While sharing insights and approaches from such longstanding work the group seeks to explore and address new questions, provocations and themes in order to find new synergies, points of contact and collaborations.

The CSoP group hosts:

workshops in which members give informal presentations about current research interests and projects;

public-facing talks with prominent authorities on CSP;

events such as seminars, conversazioni and conferences.

Membership of the group is open to all those with relevant research and/or professional interests, including staff and research students from Newcastle University and other HEIs and anyone else whose work involves considerations of the cultural significance of place. Contact the convener Prof. Chris Whitehead (chris.whitehead@ncl.ac.uk) or Dr. Emma Coffield (emma.coffield@newcastle.ac.uk) if you would like to be added to the mailing list, or sign up for updates below.